How are Staff Trained?

The Appleton Area School District will seek means to help students who are considered at risk for suicide, and provide support for staff and peers affected by student suicide. A youth suicide prevention program shall be used by District staff.

District staff are in positions to recognize students who are at risk for suicide; under no circumstances should this be kept confidential. State Statute provides immunity from civil liability for staff members who work to prevent suicide.

The District believes that suicide prevention is a responsibility shared by the various segments of the community including family, community agencies, related medical services, and the schools.

Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR)

The AASD offers QPR Gatekeeper Training, a community-wide initiative, in partnership with Lawrence University and J.J. Keller, to all staff.

What is QPR?

Question – learning how to see the signs of suicidal thoughts and learning to ask the important question – “Are you thinking about killing yourself?” and listening to the answer without bias or alarm

Persuade – offering the person hope and alternative solution. Suicide itself is not the problem – it is a perceived only solution by a person in crisis to what they see as an insurmountable problem

Refer – having the knowledge of how and where to go to help the person get help

District staff also serve on the Community-Wide 'Zero Suicide' Initiative as well as on the Community-Wide 'Question, Persuade, Refer--QPR' Suicide Prevention Initiative in the Valley.